Arrow quiver assembly and frame

ABSTRACT

A frame is provided, and a quiver assembly is attached to the frame. The frame, preferably made from aluminum, is manufactured by using an axis of extrusion that is perpendicular to the primary axis of the quiver assembly. A top portion of the quiver assembly provides blade covers with foam inserts to store, for example, expandable broadheads. The blade covers are non-circular in shape, so that broadheads can be rotated approximately ninety degrees to a secure position. The quiver also utilizes a set screw that allows a the hunter to adjust the camming force required for loading and unloading the quiver from the bow. The quiver assembly utilizes rubber posts that allow for a quiet operation, as well as a secure means of locking the quiver assembly to a bow.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation, and claims the benefit under 35U.S.C. §120, of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/736,694, filed Jan.8, 2013, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/584,433, filed Jan. 9, 2012, eachof which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to arrow quiverassemblies and frames for archery. One or more embodiments of the quiverassembly has particularly advantageous blade covers, and utilizes acamming force to load and unload the quiver from the bow as well asparticular techniques to manufacture the quiver frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the issues with expandable broadheads is that they canpotentially rattle while in the quiver, or possibly allow the blades topredeploy while in the quiver. In order to address this concern, in oneor more embodiments of the present invention, a quiver holds the bladesof an expandable broadhead in the retracted and locked position. This isaccomplished by providing foam inserts in the hood of the quiver thatare an oval (or, more generally, a non-round) in shape. The arrow isinserted into the hood with the blades in line with the major axis ofthe opening in the foam. After insertion, the arrow is then rotated,which causes the foam to exert inward pressure on the blades, thereforestabilizing them to keep them from rattling or pre-deploying.

Another issue with known quiver assemblies is that they do not providethe user with the ability to adjust the camming force required forloading and unloading the quiver from the bow. One or more embodimentsof the present invention advantageously provide the user with theability to set a desired force that is required for loading andunloading the quiver from the bow.

Yet another problem with the manufacture of quiver frames is materialwaste and attendant increased cost. I have discovered a way to morecost-effectively manufacture quiver frames by utilizing an axis ofextrusion that is perpendicular to the primary axis of the quiverassembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A frame is provided, and a quiver assembly is attached to the frame. Theframe, preferably made from aluminum, is manufactured by using an axisof extrusion that is perpendicular to the primary axis of the quiverassembly. A top portion of the quiver assembly provides blade coverswith foam inserts to store, for example, expandable broadheads. Theblade covers have a non-round (e.g., oval) shape, so that broadheads canbe rotated approximately ninety degrees to a secure position. The quiverassembly also utilizes a set screw that allows a hunter to adjust thecamming force required for loading and unloading the quiver assemblyfrom the bow. The quiver assembly utilizes rubber posts that allow for aquiet operation, as well as a secure means of locking the quiverassembly to a bow.

In one embodiment, a frame adapted for use with a quiver assembly isprovided for holding and securing arrows. The frame includes: i) ahorizontal top surface extending in a direction of a first axis; ii) ahorizontal bottom surface extending in the direction of the first axis;iii) a first curved side surface with three points of inflection,wherein end points of the first curved surface contact a first endpointof the horizontal top surface and a first endpoint of the horizontalbottom surface, wherein the first curved side extends in a direction ofa second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis; iv)a second curved side surface with three points of inflection, whereinend points of the second curved surface contact a second endpoint of thehorizontal top surface and a second endpoint of the horizontal bottomsurface, wherein the second curved side extends in the direction of thesecond axis; v) a horizontal surface positioned approximately midwaybetween the horizontal top surface and the horizontal bottom surface,the horizontal surface having a first endpoint that contacts the firstcurved side surface and a second endpoint that contacts the secondcurved side surface; vi) a first curved surface extending in thedirection of the first axis, having one point of inflection, and havingrespective endpoints contacting the first curved side surface and thesecond curved side surface; vii) a second curved surface extending inthe direction of the first axis, having one point of inflection, andhaving respective endpoints contacting the first curved side surface andthe second curved side surface, wherein the second curved surface ispositioned between the horizontal bottom surface and the first curvedsurface.

In another aspect of the invention, the frame is manufactured by usingan axis of extrusion that is substantially perpendicular to a planeformed by the first axis and the second axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of an arrow quiverassembly and frame.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary perspective view of an arrow quiver assembly andframe.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary perspective view of an arrow quiver assembly andframe, showing the relationship between arrows with broadheads and thearrow quiver assembly and frame.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary perspective view of an arrow quiver assembly andframe, with arrows respectively inserted in arrow holding grooves.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary perspective view of a quiver assembly and framein relation to a bow.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary perspective view of a quiver assembly placed on abow in an unlocked position.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary perspective view of a quiver assembly placed on abow in a locked position.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary perspective view of an arm with a set screw in aprotruding position.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary perspective view of an arm with a set screw in awithdrawn position.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary perspective view of an extrusion system forcreating a quiver frame.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary cutaway view of the extrusion system of FIG. 10,showing the extrusion of a frame during operation.

FIG. 12 is an exemplary extrusion billet, die and frame cross-sectionduring extrusion process.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary quiver frame cross-section as extruded.

FIG. 14 is an exemplary quiver frame after having been cut to length.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of a quiver frame 100and quiver assembly 101. The quiver assembly 101 includes a hood 106that contains inserts 104. The inserts 104 are preferably foam, andpreferably have an oval (or other non-round) shape. The inserts 104 areinserted into various compartments of the cover 106. An arrow (notshown) is inserted through housing 108, and into the hood 106.

The blades are initially in line with the major axis of the opening ofan insert 104. After the blade (on the arrow) is placed in the insert104, the arrow is then rotated approximately 90 degrees, which causesthe insert 104 to exert inward pressure on the blades, thereforestabilizing them to keep them from rattling or pre-deploying.

A top arrow shaft holder 102 is provided. The top arrow shaft holder 102is secured to the quiver frame 100 by placing a plate 110 in an opening(not shown) on the underside of the arrow shaft holder 102, and securingthe top arrow shaft holder 102 and plate 110 to the quiver frame 100using screws 116. In one or more embodiments, top arrow shaft holder 102is manufactured by placing the plate 110, which is preferably made fromaluminum, in an injection mold, and having rubber injection moldedaround the plate 110.

Similarly, the bottom arrow shaft holder 126 is secured to the quiverframe 100 by placing a plate 112 in an opening (not shown) on theunderside of the bottom arrow shaft holder 126, and securing the bottomarrow shaft holder 126 and plate 112 to the quiver frame 100 usingscrews 122. Top arrow shaft holder 102 and bottom arrow shaft holder 126are preferably made from a compliant material, such as rubber, tofacilitate insertion and removal of arrows from the arrow holdinggrooves 128 a-e in top arrow shaft holder 102, and grooves 130 a-e inbottom arrow shaft holder 126. In a preferred embodiment, the rubber canbe a thermoplastic elastomer or TPE, such as Dynaflex G7980-9001-02,Shore A-80, Black, 0% regrind.

The housing 108 is preferably secured to the hood 106 using screws 124,and the hood 106 is preferably secured to the frame using screws 114.

The rubber mounting posts 118 a, 118 b for the quiver are preferably acompliant material, which advantageously provides for a more secure andquieter operation of adapting the quiver frame 100 and quiver assembly101 to the bow (not shown), as will be described herein. Posts 118 a,118 b can optionally be made as a single integrated piece or unit. Inone or more embodiments, the compliant material is a thermoplasticelastomer TPE, which can be injection molded, such as Dynaflex7990-9001-02, 0% regrind, Shore A-90, Black. The compliant posts 118 a,118 b allow the posts 118 a, 118 b to deform during the camming that isused to adapt the quiver frame 100 and quiver assembly 101 to a bow (notshown). The posts 118 a, 118 b are secured to the quiver frame 100,preferably using a pin 120. When posts 118 a, 118 b are made from acompliant material, they also advantageously provide for vibrationdamping in the bow assembly during a shooting operation.

FIG. 2, generally at 200, is an exemplary perspective view of a quiverframe 100 and quiver assembly 101. A plurality of arrow holding grooves128 a-e, 130 a-e are respectively provided in the top arrow shaft holder102 and the bottom arrow shaft holder 126 to facilitate holding arrows(not shown) in place.

FIG. 3, generally at 300, is an exemplary perspective view of an arrowquiver assembly 101 and quiver frame 100, showing the relationshipbetween arrows 302, 304 with broadheads 110 and the quiver assembly 101and quiver frame 100. As shown by arrow 304 and broadhead 110, arrow 304and broadhead 110 have been rotated approximately 90 degrees clockwise(looking into the page) relative to arrow 302 and broadhead 110, whichcauses the insert 104 b to exert inward pressure on the blades 306 a,306 b, therefore stabilizing blades 306 a, 306 b to keep them fromrattling or pre-deploying.

FIG. 4, generally at 400, is an exemplary perspective view of an arrowquiver assembly 101 and quiver frame 100, with arrows 302, 304, 306,308, 310 respectively inserted in arrow holding grooves 128 a-e. Asshown, arrows 306, 308, 310, along with arrow 304, are also rotatedapproximately 90 degrees clockwise (looking into the page) relative toarrow 302 and broadhead 110.

FIG. 5, generally at 500, is an exemplary perspective view of a quiverassembly 101 and quiver frame 100 in relation to a bow 504. There aretwo rubber mounting posts 118 a, 118 b associated with the frame 100 andthe quiver assembly 101. As noted above, posts 118 a, 118 b canoptionally be made as a single, integrated piece or unit. As previouslydiscussed, rubber mounting posts 118 a, 118 b are mounted on the quiverassembly 101. In addition, rubber mounting posts 502 a, 502 b aremounted on the bow 504. The seating surface 508 on the quiver assembly101 mates up with the rubber post 502 a, 502 b on the bow 504, and thecamming surface (shown as element 602 in FIG. 6) on the bow 504 mountmates up with the rubber post 118 a, 118 b on the quiver assembly 101.This configuration advantageously mitigates or substantially eliminatesthe effects of any vibration, such that there is little or no vibrationthat is transmitted through the rubber mounting posts 118 a, 118 b and502 a, 502 b. As a result, there is little or no vibration in the quiverassembly 101 and/or quiver frame 100 that prolongs any vibration in thebow 504 after shooting the bow 504. In one embodiment, the hood 106 caninclude a pocket that receives a portion of the frame 100 such thatframe 100 is held in the pocket using an adhesive. In this embodiment,the hood 106 is preferably secured to the frame using screws 114 whenthe frame 100 is held in the pcket.

FIG. 6, generally at 600, is an exemplary perspective view of a quiverassembly 101 and quiver frame 100 placed on a bow 504, with the quiverassembly 101 and quiver frame 100 in an unlocked position. When thequiver assembly 101 and quiver frame 100 are attached to the bow 504, itis done so by placing the quiver assembly 101 and quiver frame 100 on acompliant rubber post 502 a secured to the bow 504, and then camming thequiver assembly 101 and quiver frame 100 into a locked position. FIG. 7is an exemplary perspective view of the quiver assembly 101 and quiverframe 100 that have been rotated into a locked position on the bow 504.That is, by rotating the quiver assembly 101 and quiver frame 100 in acounterclockwise direction as indicated by arrow 606, the quiverassembly 101 and quiver frame 100 will be rotated into a secureposition, as shown in FIG. 7. Camming arm 602 is fixedly held in placeby lower securing pin 608, which is secured to the bow 504.

In order to rotate the quiver assembly 101 and quiver frame 100 into thelocked position as shown in FIG. 7, one or more embodiments of thepresent invention advantageously utilize a camming action with anappropriate amount of force that creates customer satisfaction. I havediscovered that different customers will have different preferences withregard to the desired camming action force.

FIG. 8, generally at 800, is an exemplary perspective view of a cammingarm 602 with a set screw 802 in a protruding position. In order toprovide customers (e.g., hunters) with their personal preference, thecamming lock position, as shown in FIG. 7, has an adjustable element,such as a set screw 802, to allow the camming force to be adjusted.Additionally, the set screw 802 can be adjusted after placing the quiverassembly 101 on the bow 504 so that the quiver assembly 101 will not beable to disconnect from the bow 504 without a significant force orthrough loosening the set screw 802. The set screw 802 is preferably athreaded set screw 802 that is positioned according to the user'spreference by rotating the set screw along its primary axis until theadjustment is satisfactory. In one embodiment, the set screw can beutilized with, for example, a conventional chemical thread locker suchas an epoxy to prevent unintentional movement of the set screw when, forexample, vibration occurs. Alternatively, a mechanical thread lockersuch as a nylon insert can be used on the threads to preventunintentional movement of the set screw when, for example, vibrationoccurs.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary perspective view of a camming arm 602 with a setscrew 802 in a withdrawn position relative to the set screw 802 shown inFIG. 7. The rubber mounting posts 118 a, 118 b for the quiver assembly101 and quiver frame 100 are designed to be a compliant structure, whichallows for a more secure and quieter operation when the quiver assembly101 and frame are rotated past the protruding set screw 802. Mountingposts 118 a, 118 b can also be made from any suitable thermoplasticvulcanizate (TPV), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), thermoplasticpolyurethane (TPU), or molded silicone. The purpose of the compliance isto allow at least the structure of the post 804 portion of camming arm802 to deform during the camming operation to ensure a more snug fit. Acamming operation generally occurs when the quiver assembly 101, quiverframe 100 and rubber mounting posts 118 a, 118 b are rotated in thedirection of arrow 902, as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 10, generally at 1000, is an exemplary perspective view of aconventional extrusion system for creating a quiver frame 100. In one ormore embodiments, the quiver frame 100 is made from aluminum(6061-T6511). Magnesium, zinc and copper could also serve as viablealternatives. The extrusion system 1000 is used to shape the material,such as aluminum, magnesium, zinc, or copper, by forcing the rawmaterial bill 1004 to flow through a passage through the center portionof housing 1006, and then through a shaped opening 1008 in a die 1010. Amain compartment 1002 receives hydraulic fluid which in, turn, is usedto generate the desired pressure and movement of aluminum (or magnesium)in the passage through 1006.

FIG. 11, generally at 1100, is an exemplary cutaway view of theextrusion system 1000 of FIG. 10, showing the extrusion of a quiverframe cross-section 1102 during the extrusion operation.

Extruded material emerges as an elongated piece, such as a quiver framecross-section 1102, with the same profile as the die opening 1008. Theexit temperature of the extruded profile will be on the order of 950degrees Fahrenheit. The extruded material is then cooled at anappropriate speed, and heat treated in accordance with known techniquesto achieve the final desired material properties.

One or more embodiments of the present invention advantageously utilizesan extrusion process, and thereby produces relatively little materialwaste as compared, for example, to a machining process, in which thereis substantial material waste, or casting, in which the die costs can beexpensive and the material properties are not generally as good as thoseprovided by an extrusion process. This extrusion method of providingquiver frame cross-section 1102 creates the near net shape profile,which can then be very quickly and readily cut to length and finished.In contrast, known manufacturing methods, techniques and processesresult in significantly greater material waste and processing time asthe frame shape must be cut from a large rectangular piece of stockmaterial, resulting in elevated costs and time.

With regard to FIG. 11, one or more embodiments of the present inventionutilizes an extrusion process in which the axis of extrusion, as shownby arrow 1012, is substantially perpendicular to the primary axis of thequiver, as shown by arrow 1014. This technique creates a (relativelylong) quiver frame cross- section 1102 that can then be simply cut off,for example, with a conventional bandsaw or cutoff saw to the requiredthickness of the finished frame 100. Some conventional post machiningmay be performed, but such machining is typically desired (or needed)only for threaded holes or mating surfaces for mounting. This extrusionprocess advantageously results in very little material waste ormachining processing time, as the unused material that does not emanatefrom the passage through 1006 can be reused.

FIG. 12, generally at 1200, is an exemplary extrusion billet 1004, die1010, and quiver frame cross-section 1102 during extrusion process.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary quiver frame cross-section 1102 as extruded.

FIG. 14 is an exemplary quiver frame 100 after having been cut to lengthin a conventional manner by using, for example, a bandsaw or cutoff saw.

1. An arrow quiver assembly comprising: a frame; a hood fixedly securedto the frame, the hood comprising a plurality of oval-shaped openings,wherein each of the plurality of oval-shaped openings receives arespective oval-shaped insert configured to receive a respectivebroadhead such that the blades of the broadhead are positionedsubstantially in line with a major axis of the oval-shaped openings andoval-shaped inserts when the respective broadhead is initially insertedinto the oval-shaped insert; wherein each respective oval-shaped insertdoes not exert inward pressure on the blades of the respective broadheadreceived in the oval-shaped insert when the blades of the broadhead arepositioned substantially in line with the major axis of the oval-shapedinsert, and each respective oval-shaped insert exerts inward pressure onthe blades of the respective broadhead received in the oval-shapedinsert when the broadhead is rotated in the oval-shaped insert so thatthe blades of the broadhead are positioned substantially in line with aminor axis of the oval-shaped insert.
 2. An arrow quiver assemblycomprising: a frame, the frame comprising: a seating surface configuredto matingly engage with a first mounting post extending from a bow; anda second mounting post extending from an end portion of the frame,wherein the second mounting post is configured to matingly engage with aconcave surface of a camming arm on the bow; wherein the camming armcomprises a set screw positioned proximate the concave surface, and theset screw is adjustable to allow a variable force to be utilized tomatingly engage the second mounting post with the concave surface of thecamming arm on the bow.